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TRUE TO HER WORD, MAGS RETURNED THE NEXT DAY TO GUIDE THEM TO THE GRAVEYARD. The three would have to take a ferry South, until they reached the geographical center of District Four. It was here that housed the District's Hall of Justice, where year after year children were Reaped.
Mags led them to the same shops they had surveyed the day before. The trio—or quartet, if little Koa was counted— garnered a great amount of looks. Many had heard of the two teenagers and toddler that had arrived the day before; their proximity to the sister of the most recent male tribute was gossip worthy.
"Agnatha," Maggie treated the old woman with familiarity.
"Mags," the woman perked up, delight dancing in her pearly blue eyes, "I see you were successful in greeting our newest additions."
"Yes, thank you."
Agnatha addressed Cari and Treech now, "Still need help fixing up that old cabin?"
"No need, Aggy, they'll be moving in with me."
She blinked in surprise. It occurred to Cari that others in Four wouldn't know Treech as the District Seven tribute from the most recent games, he was merely a boy from another District following around his native girlfriend. "Is that so?"
Cari answered the question hesitantly, "If Mags is sure we won't be too much of an intrusion."
"Cari looked after Mizzen a bit when he was in the Capitol." Mags ignored Cari's concerns. "It's the least I could do."
Agnatha appraised Araucaria, "I see. In that case, you'll be needing help finding work, hmm?" She shifted her gaze to Treech, running her eyes over his clothing in amusement. District Four boys tended to wear linen clothing— lightweight pants and shirts that let the sea breeze hug their skin. Treech bore the skin of a lumberjack, tough splinter-proof jeans and cotton shirt. "You strong, boy?"
Treech jerked back in surprise, "Uh, yeah. Well, I can lift an ax, lug trees..." He trailed off as Agnatha nodded appreciatively. "Come back here tomorrow, I'll have a job for you."
Treech nodded his thanks, glancing uncomfortably to Cari and Mags. "We'll be heading out now, Aggy. See you round," Mags bid goodbye, steering Treech and Cari further down the boardwalk.
The ferry would be empty besides them, for which Cari was grateful. She needed to mentally prepare herself to see the graveyard of her home, dedicated to children like her who were torn from their homes and butchered.
Her parents had mostly shielded her from the horrors of the games, only allowing her to watch highlight reels after the fact. Never did they bring her to visit the dead, not even her own family. Plenty had died during the war, but her mother and father insisted on putting that behind them. They couldn't let a mere gravestone anchor them to the District.
The ride over was peaceful, Cari shutting her eyes and allowing the salt air to bless her nose, hair flowing in the wind as Treech admired her tranquility, holding down his own urge to throw up. "Do you know Coral's family?" He finally asked, the journey nearly done.
